Chapter 253

"I have three interviews scheduled for 3 PM." Evelyn Sinclair turned her laptop screen toward Wendy West. "Here's my calendar. You handle the new hires for our department, and I'll take care of your project proposal?"

With the project nearing completion, she needed to assemble her team quickly.

She and Xavier Stapleton held equal positions now—neither could order the other around.

Wendy's lips twisted. "With such a packed schedule, why bother coming on this business trip, Evelyn? Found the hotel view particularly inspiring?"

Who did this expense-account tourist think she was?

Evelyn's smile vanished. "Is this your opinion or Xavier's? If it's Xavier, tell him to address me directly. If it's you..." She paused. "Wendy, focus on your own affairs first."

The door slammed behind Wendy's furious exit.

"Boss, that woman refuses to leave her room," she reported through gritted teeth.

Xavier crushed his cigarette, eyes glinting dangerously.

"What about Roman?"

"Compliant as ever." Wendy lifted her chin smugly. "Today I rejected his draft and made him rewrite it. When he submits the second version, I'll use his first draft instead."

Tormenting people came naturally to her.

"Ensure his name appears nowhere on the final product—not even a punctuation mark." Xavier's voice turned icy. "Oh, and send him to me immediately after he finishes."

...

Roman appeared in Xavier's office two hours later.

"You wanted to see me, sir." His posture remained submissive.

Since the airplane incident, he'd been awaiting Xavier's retaliation.

Strangely, four days had passed with only routine harassment. But retribution would come.

Given another chance, he'd still block that filthy hand reaching for Evelyn.

Even if the consequences dwarfed a damaged suitcase.

Evelyn was sacred to him.

So when Xavier spoke next, Roman froze completely.

"Let's skip formalities between brothers." Xavier's grin unsettled him. "Certain things needn't be said aloud, right?"

Roman's head jerked up.

Brothers?

The word turned his blood to ice.

"Surprised?" Xavier slung an arm over his shoulder. "Don't pretend you didn't know our connection."

Roman lowered his gaze again.

"I know why you joined this company—why you've been lurking near my neighborhood." Xavier's breath hit his ear. "Normally, I'd treat my little brother better. But... who can guess your true intentions?"

Roman's fists clenched at his sides.

"I meant no harm." He only wanted to find his family.

"No harm? Then why endure three months of humiliation? Why abandon your bright future for Kingsbury?" Xavier sneered. "Fine. Here's your chance. Do one thing for me, and I'll take you home."

Roman didn't react as expected.

"What do you want?"

Three months had shown him Xavier's true colors.

Family reunion? Just another trap.

"Visit Evelyn tonight." Xavier's whisper turned venomous. "Knock on her door..." He detailed his plan against Roman's ear. "Succeed, and I'll keep my word."

Roman's nails dug bloody crescents into his palms.

...

Evelyn emerged from the shower, towel-drying her hair.

She almost thanked Xavier for giving her uninterrupted time to finalize three months' worth of work plans.

10:00 PM.

Her hand drifted to her abdomen. "Time for bed, little one."

A soft chuckle came from the window.

Evelyn stiffened.

Someone was in her room!

Then recognition washed over her—that voice was unmistakable.

Rounding the corner, she found Alexander Kingsley lounging on the sofa by the window.

Their eyes met. His gaze dropped to her stomach.

"Never knew you could speak like that." His voice carried an indescribable ache.

Even during their most passionate days, Evelyn had never used this tender, playful tone with him.

She'd been obedient. Quiet. Lovely.

But never coy.

Now, she poured every ounce of affection into this child.

For the baby, she'd return to him. For the baby, she'd lavish unconditional love.

Logically, he understood—with her family gone, this child was her only blood relative.

Yet jealousy gnawed at him.

Why couldn't he be her closest person?

Why did this unborn child effortlessly claim her entire heart?

The cruelest joke? He wasn't even the father.

That night, he'd asked when it happened.

He'd wanted to know when she and Julian Ashford became involved... when they conceived...

Regret had flooded him mid-question.

Some answers only brought agony.

Evelyn ignored his sarcasm, frowning. "You've been drinking again?"

As the steam cleared, the sharp scent of alcohol assaulted her senses.

That "again" held weight—his drinking had escalated alarmingly lately...